Xiaomi unveils Mi 6X with dual-camera and AI-powered scene detection

Source: Global PhotographyBy: Lars Rehm2018-04-27 09:48

(0)1532 Views

Dual-camera equipped devices have really been taking off this year, and with the Mi 6X, Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi has just thrown its hat into the dual-cam ring as well. As has been the norm with virtually all recent device launches, Xiaomi is putting a lot of emphasis on the Mi 6X camera capabilities: claiming the new model competes with rivals such as the iPhone X or OPPO R15 in the imaging department.

We'll have to get hands on a test unit to confirm if that's true, but the camera specs do look promising. The main camera uses a 1/2.9"12 MP Sony IMX486 sensor and F1.75 aperture lens. The secondary camera comes with a 1/2.78" 20MP sensor and the same lens specifications as the main camera. Xiaomi says the secondary camera uses a 4-to-1 pixel binning mode for reduced noise levels. It is also deployed to generate a fake-bokeh portrait mode.

The front camera uses the same Sony IMX376 sensor as the secondary unit, which should ensure image quality that is a cut above your average small-sensor front camera.

It's not all about hardware, though. Like some other recent high-end devices, the Mi 6X uses artificial intelligence to detect more than 200 scene types and adjust camera settings automatically—including 12 different portrait scenes. According to Xiaomi, the AI algorithms are capable of learning, providing better detail and subject separation in portrait mode the longer you use it.

Non-camera specifications include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, 4/64 GB, 6/64 GB, and 6/128 GB memory combinations and a 5.99-inch LCD display with Full HD+ resolution. Security is covered with a fingerprint reader on the back and Face Unlock support.

Pricing is in line with Xiaomi's tagline: “the same specifications, at half the price.” In China, prices start from CNY 1,599 (approximately $250 USD) which, considering the specifications, makes the Mi 6X an enticing option. The global version of the device will likely be called Mi A2 but no international pricing information has been provided yet.

More information, including some camera samples, is available on the Xiaomi website.